Hey, hey, hey :OD It looks like school is back in town, but that doesn't mean the story ends, or that chapters take five years to write. However, it does mean that the pace might slow down due to a very unwanted case of the homeworks:O( Anyhows, forget I even wrote that, because it is all speculation at this point. We won't know how things turn out until were there. Otherwise, I would be a psychic and you would have a definite timeline of when to expect things. Not to mention, the fact that you would have replies to all your nifty reviews ahead of time and think, why is this random guy stalking my email. I should report him:OP Well I hope you enjoy it as always.
Disclaimer: I am just a fan. I do not own Naruto
Chapter 16: Haguru's Return: A Master's Farewell
It took Naruto almost a month, to realize that something was wrong with his Master. Naruto sat by his Masters bedside helping him to sip some medicinal herbal tea.
"Haguru-kun it has been almost two months since your return and you have yet to tell me what troubles you," Yoshikawa said coughing.
"That's because it is not important, right now, what is important is making sure you are healthy once again."
"Haguru I never told you because I figured you would be gone before it came to pass, but I am dying and have been doing so for a long time now."
"No Master, you can't go! You still have a promise to keep. You promised that you would tell me your history remember," Naruto said, tears falling.
"Haguru, all I have is yours, all my knowledge, this place, and my legacy if you want it."
There was that word again, legacy, why was there always a legacy? Legacy of a Jinchuuriki, legacy of a deceased father, and now of a dying Master, Naruto was really starting to hate that word.
"Master I am honored, but I have more legacies than I care to bear." Naruto said somberly "For once in my life, I would rather someone asked me to be their side kick or something other than the bearer of their legacy."
"He, he, he, that is the curse of one with great strength, he usually must bear much," Yoshikawa said rasping.
"I am not strong by any means Master." Naruto cried. "In the months since I have regained my memories, I have failed to uphold my promise on many numerous occasions. I promised not to fight in anger, yet, when faced with this one opponent named Itachi I failed miserably, and then when I first returned to home my emotions constantly got the better of me. There is no strength here Master, none."
"Haguru" Yoshikawa half barked half coughed. "Must you always do that?"
"Do What Master?"
"Tear yourself down, do you think I would train someone whom I thought was weak and undeserving?"
"No Master."
"Then why do you sit here insulting me. Self pity will do nothing for you but bring you misery. You have strength, you have always had it. Your problem is not that you are weak, but that you are unable to deal with the reality of life."
"And why should I deal with reality, when reality is, life sucks!"
"Yes, Haguru, life is difficult, sometimes chaotic, and sometimes cruel and you never know what is going to happen from one moment to the next, but it's also beautiful, miraculous, and very precious. You knew that once. What has happened that was so bad that you would choose to forget." Yoshikawa asked concerned. His first thought, was that he was treated harshly; that he had returned to a village that despised him for being Jinchuuriki, but that made no sense, since he had not returned right away. So there had to be something else that troubled him.
"Haguru, practice your kata and leave me rest. We will talk more tomorrow."
"Yes master," Naruto said turning to leave.
"And don't forget to breathe," Yoshikawa wheezed after him.
Yoshikawa did not know how to tell Naruto that he had about a week left to live; at best, two, if he was lucky. Long ago during the great shinobi wars, which forged the reputation of the great nations, Yoshikawa had been poisoned by a rear and now extinct poison, whose cure had died with it. The poison once ingested would cause an agonizing death within minutes, but if one realized what was happening and acted quickly he could halt the progress of the poison through the use of his chakra until he was able to retrieve the antidote. This poison was the specialty of his clan and was used as a training tool during the creation of their art. Any one who wished to be considered the elite would under go the trial of poison. They would ingest the poison before heading out into battle. They would receive the antidote once they returned. The weak perished, either at the hands of their enemies, or because in the heat of battle, they failed to retain the proper amount of chakra to keep the poison at bay. Yoshikawa was a master of chakra control, but even so it was no cure, just a temporary solution, and after all these years, his time had run out. He willed himself out of bed and made his way to the room which had been dubbed the forbidden zone by Naruto. Sitting down at his desk he grabbed a pen and paper and began to write.
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Naruto was practicing his kata for the billionth time. Since his return, Master Yoshikawa had been even crueler in his training regime than when he had first begun Naruto's training. At first Naruto thought it was because his Master wanted to make up for lost time, but then his Master had collapsed during one of their training sessions and Naruto knew that their time together was coming to a close. Why, was the question on his mind; he did not have many precious people; so then, why did Kami take it upon himself to rob him of those few people he did have.
"Acknowledge the thoughts, now release the thoughts," Naruto said to himself as he breathed in. His left foot planted, Naruto shifted all his weight to it, and drew in his right foot until his right heel was a hairs distance from it. His toe pointed to the ground. His hands circled forming an unseen sphere at the bottom of his belly to the top of his naval. More thoughts entered his mind. It started with my parents, then Sasuke, and now my Master and friend. "Acknowledge the thoughts, now release the thoughts," he said once again. Exhaling slowly, he stretched out with his right foot to take a step. Pointing his right toe to the sky, he placed his heel slowly on the ground. Gradually, he shifted seventy percent of his weight from his left foot to his right as he completed the step. His left hand traveled to his waste palm face down; his right hand bent at a forty five degree angle, slowly ascended palm facing him aligned with his chin as he finished exhaling. He stood in that position like a statue, slowly inhaling and exhaling deeply for a count of eight breathes. His mind completely empty, the world faded to nothing.
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"Isn't it bad enough that you harass me when I am not in control of my emotions? Now you have to harass me when I have finally gained some level of peace too," Naruto said exasperated to find himself once again before the Kyuubi.
"He, He, He, He, as much as I enjoy making you suffer, you impudent pup, you brought yourself to me, not the other way around. I have better things to do, than to spend my time with someone as worthless as you." The Kyuubi growled.
"Like what, lick your no, no, spots." Naruto scoffed at the Kyuubi. Naruto's mindscape shook with the Kyuubi's annoyance at Naruto's insolence, but instead of bandying his power about, the Kyuubi opted instead for words. "Do not take your Frustrations out on me, you little nothing. You failed to rescue your friend through your own weakness. You should be more appreciative that I did not allow you to die such a pathetic death."
Naruto bit his lower lip refusing to give into the anger the Kyuubi wished to provoke. "If you didn't call me here than why am I here?"
"I do not, nor will I ever, have to answer to you ungracious whelp." The Kyuubi spat.
"For once, I wished you would answer my question, instead of making me suffer through your arrogant and undeserved ego. As great as you might have been, now, you are a bed time story told to scare little children into behaving, or a reason for me to be hunted and punished. You are nothing but a tool at the beckon call of the beings you hate the most."
This time it was the Kyuubi's turn to reign in his anger. "I AM NOONE'S TOOL! BRAZEN LITTLE….. I SHOULD DEVOUR YOUR SOUL," Naruto's mindscape shook violently as the Kyuubi fought to repress his rage. After a long moment, his anger finally subsided. The Kyuubi then performed an act so unnaturally out of character for him; it sent Naruto reeling in disbelief.
"Perhaps you are here because you have a question you feel that I could answer, not that I would, unless that answer brought you unfathomable suffering." The Kyuubi said breathing heavily. The Kyuubi's hot moist breathe caused Naruto's spiky and unruly hair to fall to his shoulders, and he began to laugh a deep laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"! Naruto, spying his reflection in a pool of water beneath him, began to laugh as well.
"You are truly an idiot and a weakling, but your idiocy and the strife it brings amuses me to no end brat." The Kyuubi said, after resuming a mirthless expression. The change had been so quick it startled Naruto into seriousness as well.
"I don't understand?"
"Are you that feeble minded that you have forgotten my words? Have you not yet figured out the consequences of tampering with the seal? Of course not, greed and arrogance those are the traits which define you fleshlings the most. Your kind always does things without thought or foresight, so long as they can satisfy their greed and arrogance. What great ego's you finite and fledgling creatures possess."
"I much preferred you as an arrogant and malicious beast. If I hear any more sermons from you, I might just give you your wish and end my life." Naruto said bluntly. The Kyuubi let out a small growl before continuing.
"It annoys me to say this, but we are bonded you and I. I can longer escape this pitiful excuse of a body without dire consequence to myself. Before I might have hoped to be free, but now, the price of freedom is more than I am willing to pay, and so I have had to suffer your thoughts disturbing my sleep endlessly for these last few months."
"When did this happen?"
"Irrelevant, what has been done, you cannot undo. Now ask your question so that I may sleep free from interruptions."
"Does that mean you will come to my aid when I call?"
"I am no ones tool boy, but if it is a threat against my life. I will do what I have to in order to survive."
"I don't think so!" Naruto said furiously as he recalled what happened the last time the Kyuubi did whatever he had too. "I will not allow a repeat of what happened to Master Jiraiya or Sakura"
"Then you better not give me cause to do so."
"Where is all this coming from?" Naruto asked. He had to know the reason for the sudden change from malevolent demon which would stop at nothing to control him, to mild mannered annoyance.
"ENOUGH! I have had my fill of your idiotic nature and pointless questions child. Ask your question so that I may sleep undisturbed."
"You can't just say something as boggling as that and expect me to not have more questions that need answering? Besides you owe me, after all the suffering you have caused me, you owe me."
"I owe you nothing! It was not I who chose this fate for you. Now ask your question, or forever wallow in misery, either way, is fine with me!"
"Did you know the man who put you here was my father?
"I had my suspicions. Only a feeble mind would not see it. The resemblance between you two is uncanny."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"As if I owe you any explanations, you should be grateful I have spoken to you at all."
"Why did you decide to speak to me?"
"Because I knew it would cause you grief." The Kyuubi said before sending Naruto back and ending the conversation. Naruto, however, did not believe him. Naruto decided to call it a day. He had a lot of things to think about thanks to the Kyuubi. Especially, asking Master Yoshikawa about more mental training, so that he would be able to prevent himself from hurting his precious people ever again.
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It was not the seal that had forged the bond between Naruto and the Kyuubi, but the Kyuubi himself. It was the only way to stop Naruto from entering to the other side, which would have sentenced him to an eternity within the belly of that bastard the Shinigami. The Kyuubi had done some things in his past, things, which did not please Kami, and which he would have had to suffer for had he been caught by that mindless automaton. Acting in self preservation, the Kyuubi had failed to anticipate all the consequences of his actions, and was disgusted when he found he had grown what could only be described as feelings for the boy. The Kyuubi hoped that, that was the only consequence of his desperate action, but only time would tell.
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Naruto stood fixed unable to move. Over his Master's shoulder he read the words Last Will and Testament of Kenichi, Uzumaki also known as Kenichi, Yoshikawa the wandering hermit.
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Yoshikawa sat at his desk and thought, "Kami give me the strength to finish writing," as he wiped the blood that had begun to trickle down his lip. He continued writing, as his thoughts drifted into the past.
The great ninja wars were coming to a close, there were only a few clans left who still warred with each other, but a peace accord had finally been forged amongst all the greatest ninja clans throughout the land. All had agreed it was better than the inevitable extinction they would face if they continued. It was a bloody and brutal time for Yoshikawa's clan. Though small, they were able to gain much recognition through their battles with the Uchiha's and other various powerful clans. Yoshikawa's grandfather had the privilege to visit the newly formed Konoha and was asked to join by the Shodai Hokage himself. It was returning home as an emissary to Konoha that would render Yoshikawa powerless to stop the murder of his family and the destruction of his clan. His was a small clan within whirlpool, so their markets did not host many foreign commodities, and this trek brought him the opportunity to spoil his family with exotic gifts. He returned home and found the village and his house a blaze; his closest pupil Hamaru had finished murdering the last of the unkown assailants.
"WHAT HAPPENED HAMARU," Yoshikawa screamed, as he jumped off his horse and ran to his pupil's side.
"I was out in the forest training when I saw the smoke, by the time I arrived this was all there was. I am sorry Master." Hamaru said lowering his head in shame. Yoshikawa placed his hand on Hamaru's shoulder.
"It was not your fault," Yoshikawa said when Hamaru lashed out cutting his cheek with a kunai. Yoshikawa was bent over in pain. Realizing what was happening, he focused his chakra towards the poison which had envaded his body. Halting the poison, Yoshikawa stood and regained his composure. Hamaru, enamored with his accomplishment, smiled.
"You won't need any of this" Hamaru said as he tossed the last of the poisons antidote into the fire. "And don't bother wasting your time searching for more I burnt the rest."
"Out of respect, I have given you the privilege of a slow death so that you may give yourself a proper burial. Oh, and don't worry about your family, I took the liberty of cremating them to save you time. It was the least I could do, to repay you sensei."
"Why?"
Hamaru just laughed, turned and walked away. Yoshikawa formed a quick series of hand signs, but was stopped from completing his jutsu by a bolt of lightening to the shoulder. Hamaru stood over him. "Pathetic," was all Yoshikawa heard before losing consciousness.
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Naruto placed a picture of his mother and her family by the grave of his Master, friend, and grandfather. "Life is difficult, sometimes chaotic, and sometimes cruel, but it is also miraculous and very precious," he said ,staring up into the sky. "You were right grandfather; I do know. I just wished I would have been able to tell you that your daughter lived long enough to give birth to me. For missing the chance to ease your pain, if even just a little, I am sorry." He bowed his head and prayed silently.
Jiraiya quietly took up a position next to Naruto, bowed his head and said a small prayer of thanks for the man who had done so much for him. Naruto was the first to break the silence.
"I knew you were around; I just don't know how you got here without me noticing. Not that it matters anymore." Jiraiya smiled a small smile.
"Gaki, I am the great toad sage, did you really think two years of training would reveal all my secrets too you?" Jiraiya wanted to ask who the man was, but spying the picture, he made an educated guess. If one day Naruto wanted to confirm that guess for him, then it would happen because Naruto chose to do so freely, not because he had to ask. Besides, now was not the time to press such issues.
"I know a sure fire way to help you get through all of this, Naruto."
"What?"
"Training," Jiraiya smiled riley, as Naruto's ears perked up when the words reached them. "Same old Naruto," he thought to himself.
"And Konoha?"
"Tsunade already knows, and as far as your team mates are concerned, everyone except for Kakashi believes that's where you have been all this time."
"How long?"
"From what I have seen of your training these last few months, maybe another two years, depends on you."
"I have to grab a few things."
"Then its settled. I know the perfect spot to train at too; it's not far from a very nice hot spring I found during my travels. We can go there and soak our tired bones after a hard days training."
Naruto left shaking his head; "same old perverted Master," he thought as he went to fetch his things.
Next Time: Chapter 17: Shikamaru's revenge